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This animation depicts the growth of the lava dome at Mount St. Helens during the most recent period of activity. Topographic maps derived from airborne lidar surveys conducted in September 2003 and October 14, 2004 were used to visualize the dome growth. A time series of temperature maps derived from airborne infrared surveys conducted between September 24 and October 14, 2004 overlays the dome topography.

The height of the lava dome increased by 95 meters (312 feet) during the period of observations. The high temperatures indicate the extent of new lava flows on the surface of the dome. The surface flows were limited, relative to the extent of ground deformation, indicating that primary agent of the dome growth was the accumulation of lava within the dome.

Lidar data courtesy of the United States Geological Survey.

For more information regarding this animation, please contact Vincent Realmuto, Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Reference: Vaughan, R. G., and others (2005), Monitoring eruptive activity at Mount St. Helens with TIR image data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L19305, doi:10.1029/2005GL024112.